Dishwasher with Utensil Rack and Slides Therefor

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher comprises a cabinet defining a wash chamber and a utensil rack mounted within the wash chamber by at least one slide. The slide comprises a track that slidably receives a wheel and includes an access opening for insertion or removal of the wheel from the track. A closure for selectively closing the access opening can prevent undesired removal of the wheel from the track. A method of removing the utensil rack comprises sliding the utensil rack to align the wheel with the access opening and lifting the utensil rack to move the wheel through the access opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/092,453 filed Mar. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a household dishwasher with a utensilrack and a slide for supporting the utensil rack.

2. Description of the Related Art

Automatic dishwashers are well known, especially those for use inhousehold environments. A typical automatic dishwasher comprises acabinet that defines a washing chamber, which is accessible through amoveable door. Typically, an upper rack and a lower rack for holdingutensils to be cleaned are provided within the washing chamber. Both theupper and lower racks are slidably mounted within the washing chamber insuch a manner that at least a major portion of the racks can be slidsubstantially beyond the washing chamber to ease the loading of theracks.

A problem associated with conventional dishwasher racks relates to theslides that mount the racks to the side walls of the dishwasher cabinet.Usually, the racks include wheels or similar devices mounted to thesides thereof, and the wheels ride within a slide movably mounted to thecabinet. To remove the rack from the dishwasher, the user pulls the rackout of the wash chamber by sliding the wheel toward the end of the slideand, once the rack reaches the end of the slide, removes the wheels fromthe slide, usually by slightly lifting the rack to lift the wheel over adetent in the slide while continuing to pull. However, with such aconfiguration, it is easy for the user to accidentally pull the wheelover the detent while pulling the rack out of the wash chamber in anormal fashion and thereby unintentionally remove the rack from theslide. It is therefore desirable to have an automatic dishwasher with aslide that prevents undesired removal of the rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An automatic dishwasher according to another embodiment of the inventioncomprises an open-faced cabinet comprising opposing side walls anddefining a wash chamber; a door movably mounted to the cabinet forselectively closing the wash chamber; a utensil rack comprising opposingsides; at least one track defining an elongated raceway and comprising astop terminating at a forward end of the raceway and an access openingto the raceway; and a wheel assembly comprising at least one wheelslidably received within the raceway and sized for insertion and removalthrough the access opening. One of the track and wheel assembly ismounted to one of the cabinet and utensil rack and the other of thetrack and wheel assembly is mounted to the other of the cabinet andutensil rack to slidably mount the utensil rack to the cabinet, and thewheel moves along the raceway to the access opening for removal throughthe access opening. A closure can be provided for closing the accessopening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household dishwasher according to oneembodiment of the invention comprising two conventional utensil racksand a third utensil rack positioned within a wash chamber of thedishwasher, wherein the third utensil rack is mounted to the dishwasherby a pair of slides and comprises a frame that supports a pair of basketelements, which are shown in an upper position on the frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with the thirdutensil rack according to one embodiment of the invention slidexteriorly from the wash chamber.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the slides and the third utensil rack ofFIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the basket elements of FIG. 2according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, with a traditionalupper rack shown in phantom for clarity, and the third utensil rackaccording to one embodiment of the invention shown in an upper position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher similar to FIG. 2, exceptthat the basket elements are shown in a lower position on the frame.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the dishwasher similar to FIG. 5, except thatthe basket elements are in the lower position on the frame.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of a track and closure of the slidesof FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is enlarged view of the region labeled 9A in FIG. 6 with theclosure on the slide shown in a closed position.

FIG. 9B is enlarged view similar to FIG. 9A, except that the closure onthe slide is shown in an opened position and a wheel on the third rackis aligned with an access opening in the top of the slide.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a wheel support from thethird utensil rack of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 9B with thewheel being removed from the slide through the access opening accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative slideaccording to one embodiment of the invention having an access opening atthe end of the slide.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a utensil rack with an alternativeembodiment pair of slides according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the slide and a wheel support of FIG. 13according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the slide of FIG. 13, wherein the slideis shown in an initial position.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the slide of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 17-19 are perspective views similar to FIG. 15 showing anexemplary operation of the slide as it moves from the initial positionof FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the region labeled XX of FIG. 19 showinga closure on the slide in a closed position.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 showing the closure onthe slide in an opened position.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of an alternativeembodiment slide.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a household dishwasher 10according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a cabinet 12having spaced upper and lower walls 14, 16 joined by opposing side walls18, 20 and a rear wall 22 to form an open-faced wash chamber 24. A door26 movably mounted to the cabinet 12 is movable between an openposition, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the user can access the washchamber 24, and a closed position, wherein the door 26 closes the openface of the wash chamber 24 in a conventional fashion. The dishwasher 10further comprises a lower, first utensil rack 28 and a higher, secondutensil rack 30 slidably mounted the side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet12. The first and second utensil racks 28, 30 are preferablyconventional utensil racks commonly utilized in present day householddishwashers for holding various utensils, such as plates, bowls, othertableware, and beverage containers. Usually, the first utensil rack 28is adapted to hold plates, bowls, and large items, such as pots andpans, and the second utensil rack 30 is spaced a sufficient distanceabove the first utensil rack 28 to accommodate the items in the firstutensil rack 30. The second utensil rack 30 commonly holds beveragecontainers, such as glasses and cups, and other small items. However,the first and second utensil racks 28, 30 can be arranged in thedishwasher 10 in any suitable fashion and can hold any utensils that canbe washed in the dishwasher 10. During operation of a wash cycle of thedishwasher 10, the door 26 is in the closed position, and the first andsecond utensil racks 28, 30 are disposed within the wash chamber 24 andexposed to washing fluid, such as water, and wash aids, such asdetergents and rinse aids. When dishwasher 10 is not operating, the usercan move the door 26 to the open position and slide the first and secondutensil racks 28, 30 from the wash chamber to empty or fill the firstand the second utensil racks 28, 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, thedishwasher 10 can further comprise a third utensil rack 40 slidablymounted to the cabinet 12 by a pair of slides 42. The third utensil rack40 can be positioned above the second utensil rack 30 and near the upperwall 14 within the wash chamber 24 and can move relative to the washchamber 24 in the same manner as described above for the first andsecond utensil racks 28, 30. The third utensil rack 40 comprises a frame44 that supports a pair of removable basket elements 46A, 46B, which canhold several types of utensils having various sizes and shapes.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the frame 44 comprises an upper U-shaped wire48 and a generally rectangular lower peripheral wire 50 joined by aplurality of spaced and generally vertical connecting wires 52. Theperipheral wires 48, 50 form spaced front and rear ends 54, 56 connectedby opposing sides 58, 60. The U-shaped wire 48 is oriented such that itopens at the rear end 56, and the lower peripheral wire 50 is formed bya pair of opposed, U-shaped front and rear lower peripheral wires 50A,50B that join at the opposing sides 58, 60. The frame 44 furthercomprises a front upper support rail 62 and a rear upper support rail 63that extend between and above the opposing sides 58, 60 of the upperperipheral wire 48 and are parallel to and spaced from the front end 54and the rear end 56, respectively. Additionally, the frame 44 includes afirst pair of opposing lower support rails 64 and a second pair ofopposing lower support rails 66 on the opposing sides 58, 60 of theframe 44. The first pair of lower support rails 64 is integral with thefront upper support rail 62, and, similarly, the second pair of lowersupport rails 66 is integral with the rear upper support rail 63. Eachof the lower support rails 64, 66 is elongated and generally U-shapedand depends from the upper peripheral wire 48 such that it extends belowthe lower peripheral wire 50. Thus, the upper support rails 62, 63 arevertically spaced from the lower support rails 64, 66. The upper andlower peripheral wires 48, 50, the upper support rails 62, 63, and thelower support rails 64, 66 are preferably metal wires coated withpolymeric materials that can withstand the environment of the washchamber 24 and protect the metal wires from corrosion. Alternatively,the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50, the upper support rails 62,63, and the lower support rails 64, 66 can be composed entirely ofpolymeric materials.

Referring now to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention,the basket elements 46A, 46B, which rest on the frame 44, each comprisean upstanding peripheral wall 70 and a grid formed by a plurality ofintersecting ribs 72 that form a bottom wall surrounded by theperipheral wall 70. The intersecting ribs 72 are spaced from one anothera distance suitable for holding utensils such as silverware, spatulas,and the like. Further, the bottom wall optionally includes at least onesmall item support area 68 comprising intersecting support ribs 86 thatare spaced closer than the intersecting ribs 72 to support small items,such as corn cob holders, that can potentially fall between theintersecting ribs 72. As shown in FIG. 4, the small item support areas68 are preferably located in corners of basket elements 46A, 46B, butthey can be located in any suitable region of the bottom wall.

The peripheral wall 70 comprises parallel and spaced first and secondedges 70A, 70B joined by spaced third and fourth edges 70C, 70D. Each ofthe first and second edges 70A, 70B are substantially straight and caninclude a carry handle 80 formed integrally therewith. Each of thehandles can comprise a lateral hook or flange 82 sized to receive theupper and lower support rails 62, 63, 64, 66. The third edge 70C isgenerally straight and perpendicular to the first and second edges 70A,70B, while the fourth edge 70D can comprise an intermediate curve 74 toform a first basket element portion 76 and a second basket elementportion 78 that is wider than the first basket element portion 76. As aresult of this configuration, utensils of different length can beefficiently arranged within the basket elements 46A, 46B. As shown inFIG. 4, relatively short utensils A, such as standard forks and spoons,can be placed in the first basket element portion 76 in an orientationparallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, while medium lengthutensils B, such as table knives, can fit in the second basket elementportion 78 also in an orientation generally parallel to the first andsecond edges 70A, 70B. Additionally, the basket elements 46A, 46B aresized so that relatively long utensils C, such as spatulas, mixingspoons, chef knives, and the like, can be arranged across both the firstand second basket element portions 76, 78 in an orientation parallel tothe third edge 70C and generally perpendicular to the relatively shortutensils A and the medium length utensils B. As illustrated in FIG. 4,the relatively long utensils C are longer than the medium lengthutensils B, which are longer than the relatively short utensils A.However, the utensils can be placed in any suitable location of thebasket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the relatively short utensils Acan be placed in the second basket element portion 78, if desired.

Each basket element 46A, 46B can further comprise a plurality of tines88 projecting upward from the intersecting ribs 72 to support andseparate individual utensils. The tines 88 can be arranged in groups sothat the user can efficiently position utensils of different length indifferent areas of the basket elements 46A, 46B. A first tine group 90extends along the fourth edge 70D for holding utensils in an orientationparallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, and a second tine group92 is disposed along the second edge 70B for holding utensils in anorientation parallel to the third edge 70C. Preferably, the tines 88 inthe first tine group 90 are spaced to hold relatively thin utensils,such as table knives, spoons, and forks (i.e., the relatively shortutensils A and the medium length utensils B), while the tines 88 in thesecond tine group 92 are spaced farther apart to accommodate widerutensils, such as spatulas (i.e., the relatively long utensils C).Further, the tines 88 are preferably arranged in pairs of tines to formtwo parallel rows 88A, 88B of tines 88. As a result of thisconfiguration, the utensils positioned between the tines 88 are held bythe tines 88 at two locations along the length thereof, and, therefore,the rows 88A, 88B of tines 88 prevent pivotal movement of the utensilsand maintain the utensils in the orientation generally parallel to thefirst and second edges 70A, 70B or parallel to the third edge 70C.Additionally, the second group of tines 92 includes a third row 88C oftines 88 along the first edge 70A for securing both ends of therelatively long utensils C to prevent the pivotal movement thereof.

Referring back to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the invention,the fourth edges 70D of the basket elements 46A, 46B are complementaryand matingly abut one another when the basket elements 46A, 46B areseated on the frame 44. As a result, the first edges 70A, the secondedges 70B, and the third edges 70C of both of the basket elements 46A,46B form a generally rectangular periphery with a minor discontinuationat the interface between the basket elements 46A, 46B. Further, becausethe basket elements 46A, 46B are complementary, the basket elements 46A,46B mate to form a whole, generally rectangular basket. The whole basketis defined by the rectangular periphery and has a surface area slightlyless than the area defined between the front and rear ends 54, 56 andthe opposing sides 58, 60 of the frame 44. In particular, the wholebasket corresponds to a single basket sized to span in one directionbetween the upper support rails 62, 63 and in the other direction adistance slightly less than the distance between the first and secondpairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66. In the illustratedembodiment, the first basket element portion 76 of the first basketelement 46A aligns with the second basket element portion 78 of thesecond basket element 46B, and the second basket element portion 78 ofthe first basket element 46A aligns with the first basket elementportion 76 of the second basket element 46B to form the whole basket,which has a constant width equal to the sum of the individual widths ofthe basket element portions 76, 78. Preferably, the basket elements 46A,46B are identical in shape and size so that each of the basket elements46A, 46B accounts for about one half of the whole basket. Further,production costs are minimized when the basket elements 46A, 46B areidentical because only a single mold design is required for all of thebasket elements 46A, 46B.

The basket elements 46A, 46B are adjustably mounted to the frame 44 toaccommodate utensils held by the second utensil rack 30 and utensilsheld by the basket elements 46A, 46B and to efficiently utilize thelimited space in the wash chamber 24. In particular, the basket elements46A, 46B can be vertically adjustable on the frame 44 and, therefore,within the wash chamber 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, according to oneembodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mountedin an upper position wherein the flanges 82 on the first and secondedges 70A, 70B rest on the upper support rails 62, 63. As shown in FIGS.6 and 7, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basketelements 46A, 46B can be mounted in a lower position, wherein theflanges 82 on the first and second edges 70A, 70B rest on the first andsecond pairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66. A comparison ofFIGS. 5 and 7 shows that the basket elements 46A, 46B are located higherin the wash chamber 24 when in the upper position. Further, the bottomwalls formed by the intersecting ribs 72 of the basket elements 46A, 46Bare spaced from the second utensil rack 30 a greater distance when thebasket elements 46A, 46B are in the upper position than when the basketelements 46A, 46B are in the lower position, but clearance between thebottom walls and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 is greater when thebasket elements 46A, 46B are in the lower position than when in theupper position. Mounting the basket elements 46A, 46B in the upper andthe lower positions is, therefore, a compromise between spacing betweenthe second utensil rack 30 and the third utensil rack 40 and clearancebetween the third utensil rack 40 and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet12. Additionally, the basket elements 46A, 46B in the upper position areoriented generally orthogonal to the basket elements 46A, 46B in thelower position because the portions of the frame 44 that support thebasket elements 46A, 46B in these two positions are oriented orthogonalto one another. Such an arrangement facilitates mounting the basketelements 46A, 46B to the frame 44 since the upper support rails 62, 63do not interfere with the basket elements 46A, 46B when mounting them onthe first and second pairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66 andvice-versa.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8 and generally to FIG. 3, the slides 42that slidably mount the third utensil rack 40 to the cabinet 12 eachcomprise a track 100 having a generally vertical middle wall 102 with anaperture 103 near a front end thereof and pairs of upper and lowerL-shaped flanges 104, 106 extending along the middle wall 102 to definean inner raceway 110 on an interior side (i.e., the side closer to thethird utensil rack 40) of the middle wall 102 and an outer raceway 110on an outer side (i.e., the side farther from the third utensil rack 40)of the middle wall 102. The raceways 110, 112 terminate at a pair ofstops in the form of front flanges 108 at the front end of the track100. The upper flange 104 that partially defines the inner raceway 110is spaced from the front flange 108 on the interior side of the middlewall 102 to form an access opening 114 therebetween. A closure 120pivotally mounted to the upper and lower flanges 104, 106 of the track100 selectively blocks the access opening 114. The closure 120 comprisesparallel upper and lower walls 122, 124 joined by a side wall 126 and afront wall 128 orthogonal to the side wall 126. The side wall 126 andthe front wall 128 form a grip 130 sized to be grasped between a user'sfingers for pivotally moving the closure 120. Additionally, the closure120 includes a detent 132 that extends from the side wall 126 and issized to mate with the aperture 103. The closure 120 is movable betweena closed position, as shown in FIG. 9A, wherein the upper wall 122blocks the access opening 114, and an opened position, as illustrated inFIG. 9B, wherein the closure 120 is pivoted away from the track 100 sothat the upper wall 122 is spaced from the access opening 114.

Referring particularly to FIG. 10 and generally to FIG. 3, a wheelsupport 140 couples each opposing side 58, 60 of the third utensil rack40 to its corresponding slide 42. Each wheel support 140 is anelongated, generally rectangular member with front and rear wheels 142,144 rotatably mounted to an outer side thereof. The wheels 142, 144 aresized for receipt within the access opening 114 and the inner raceway110. The wheel support 140 further includes a pair of parallel grooves146 on an interior side thereof for receiving the upper and lowerperipheral wires 48, 50 of the frame 44. Snap clamps 150 adjacent thegrooves 146 are sized to securely receive at least one of the upper andlower peripheral wires 48, 50 to prevent lateral translation of thewheel support 140 relative to the frame 44. Additionally, the interiorside of the wheel support 140 includes sets of vertically alignedU-shaped projections 148 between the grooves 146 sized to receivebrackets 152 for sandwiching the frame 44 between the wheel support 140and the brackets 152 to thereby mount the wheel support 140 to the frame44. The wheel support 140 also comprises an upwardly and outwardlyextending overhang 154 to facilitate mounting the wheel support 140 tothe track 100.

An exemplary description of the assembly and operation of the thirdutensil rack 40 and the slides 42 follows. It will be apparent to one ofordinary skill that the assembly and operation can proceed in anylogical order and is not limited to the sequence presented below. Thefollowing description is for illustrative purposes only and is notintended to limit the invention in any way.

Each of the slides 42 is mounted to the dishwasher 10 by attaching thetrack 100 to a conventional slide mount (not shown) on the correspondingopposing side wall 18, 20. The slide mount can be any suitable type ofdevice that couples the track 100 to the corresponding opposing sidewall 18, 20. For example, the slide mount can comprise one or morewheels mounted to the side walls 18, 20. Typically, the track 100receives the slide mount within the outer raceway 112 so that the track100 can slide relative to the cabinet 12. Next, the wheel supports 140are mounted to the opposing sides 58, 60 of the frame 44 by aligning theupper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50 with the grooves 146, snappingthe lower peripheral wire 50 into the snap clamps 150, and inserting thebrackets 152 into the projections 148 to clamp the upper and lowerperipheral wires 48, 50 between the wheel support 140 and the brackets150. After the wheel supports 140 are secured to the frame 44, the userpivots the closures 120 on the slides 42 to the opened position so thatthe rear wheels 144 can be inserted into the inner raceways 110 throughthe access openings 114. The user then pushes the frame 44 towards thewash chamber 24 so that the rear wheels 144 travel along the innerraceway 110 until the front wheels 142 are aligned with the accessopenings 114, as shown in FIG. 11. After the user inserts the frontwheels 142 into the inner raceway 110 through the access openings 114,the user pivots the closures 120 toward the track 100 to the closedposition, wherein the detents 132 mate with the apertures 103, and theupper walls 122 block the access openings 114 to prevent inadvertentremoval of the front wheels 142 from the inner raceways 110, as shown inFIG. 9A. In this position, the overhangs 154 of the wheel supports 140rest on the upper flanges 104 of the track 100 to help support the frame44 on the slides 42. When the slides 42 are mounted to the cabinet 12and the frame 44 is mounted to the slides 42, the third utensil rack 40is thereby mounted to the dishwasher 10 and can slide relative to thewash chamber 24.

The user can mount the basket elements 46A, 46B to the frame 44 ineither the upper position or the lower position depending on the desiredconfiguration of the utensil racks 28, 30, 40 in the wash chamber 24,the sizes of the utensils in the second utensil rack 30, and the sizesof the utensils to be held in the third utensil rack 40. To maximize thespace between the second utensil rack 30 and the basket elements 46A,46B, the basket elements 46A, 46B are placed adjacent one another in theupper position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, with the flanges 82 on theupper support rails 62, 63. Further, the basket elements 46A, 46B arepositioned with their complementary, fourth edges 70D in abuttingcontact to form the whole basket. However, if the user desires tomaximize the clearance between the basket elements 46A, 46B and theupper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 to fit larger utensils in the thirdutensil rack 40, the basket elements 46A, 46B are rotated 90-degrees andplaced adjacent one another in the lower position, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, with the flanges 82 on the first and second opposingpairs of lower support rails 64, 66. As in the upper position, thebasket elements 46A, 46B are positioned with their complementary, fourthedges 70D in abutting contact to form the whole basket.

With the basket elements 46A, 46B in either the upper position or thelower position, the user can fill the basket elements 46A, 46B withvarious shapes and sizes of utensils, including the relatively shortutensils A, the medium length utensils B, and the relatively longutensils C, as described above. The utensils can be arranged in thebasket elements 46A, 46B in any suitable fashion to maximize thequantity of utensils held by the third utensil rack 40 withoutcompromising the ability of the dishwasher 10 to clean the utensils.Additionally, the user can place small items, such as corn cob holders,in the small item support areas 68. During operation of a wash cycle,the tines 88 surrounding the small item support areas 68 help retain thesmall items in the small item support areas 68.

After the wash cycle is complete, the user pulls the third utensil rack40 from the wash chamber to empty the basket elements 46A, 46B. Thefront stop flanges 108 limit the forward movement of the frame 44relative to the slides 42. Next, the user removes the utensils from thethird utensil rack 40 in any suitable manner. For example, the user caneither manually remove each utensil from the basket elements 46A, 46Bwhile the basket elements 46A, 46B are mounted to the frame 44, the usercan remove at least one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with theutensils therein and empty the at least one basket element 46A, 46B at alocation separate from the dishwasher 10, or the user can remove atleast one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with the utensils therein anduse the at least one basket element 46A, 46B for utensil storage, suchas by placing the at least one basket element 46A, 46B in a drawer.

If the user desires to remove the entire frame 44 from the dishwasher,the user pivots the closures 120 away from the tracks 100 to the openedposition, as shown in FIG. 9B, to unblock the access openings 114. Theclosures 120 in the illustrated embodiment advantageously remain mountedto the tracks 100 during movement between the closed and openedpositions and while in the opened position. Next, the user aligns thefront wheels 142 with the access openings 114 and lifts the frame 44,such as by pivoting the frame 44, to thereby lift the front wheels 142through the access openings 114, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Thereafter,the user pulls the frame 44 further from the wash chamber 24 until therear wheels 144 are aligned with the access openings 114 and lifts theframe 44, such as by pivoting the frame 44, to thereby lift the rearwheels 144 through the access openings 114 and disconnect the frame 44from the slides 42.

An alternative slide 42′ is illustrated in FIG. 12, where componentssimilar to those of the first embodiment slide 42 are identified withthe same numeral bearing a prime (′) symbol. The slide 42′ issubstantially identical to the first embodiment slide 42, except thatthe track 100′ does not include the front flange stops 108, and theupper and the lower flanges 104′, 106′ extend all the way to the end ofthe track 100′. As a result, the access opening 114′ is defined betweenthe ends of the upper and lower flanges 104′, 106′, and the closure 120′in the closed position functions as the stop while blocking the accessopening 114′.

Alternatively, the access opening 114 can be located elsewhere in thetrack 100. For example, the access opening 114 can be formed between thelower flange 106 and the front flange stop 108 if the lower flange 106is sufficiently spaced from the front end of the track 100.

An alternative embodiment of slides 200 is illustrated in FIG. 13. Theslides 200 are shown in FIG. 13 in conjunction with the second utensilrack 30; however, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize theslides 200 with the first utensil rack 28, the third utensil rack 40, orany other utensil rack. The remaining description of the slides 200 ispresented with respect to one of the slides 200, with it beingunderstood that the description can apply to both of the slides 200. Awheel support 202 couples the slide 200 to a side of the second utensilrack 30.

Referring to FIG. 14, which is an exploded view of the slide 200 and thewheel support 202, the wheel support 202 carries a front wheel 204 and arear wheel 206 on a support plate 208. The front wheel 204 and the rearwheel 206 of the illustrated embodiment each include a circumferentialgroove 210. A wheel support bracket 212 attached to the support plate208 mounts the wheel support 202 to the second utensil rack 30.

The slide 202 includes a rail 220 and a track 222 slidable relative tothe rail 202. The rail 220 includes a generally vertical wall 224 havingbracket retainers 226 that receive slide brackets 228, which couple therail 220 to one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20. According to theillustrated embodiment, the bracket retainers 226 fixedly couple theslide brackets 228 to the rail 220, and the bracket retainers 226 arefixedly coupled to the one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20; thus, therail 220 is fixedly mounted to the one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20.

Referring now to FIG. 16, which is a perspective view of the slide 200the rail 220 further includes upper and lower flanges 230, 232 extendingalong the vertical wall 224 to define a rail raceway 234. Each of theupper and lower flanges 230, 232 forms a channel 236. The channel 236 inthe upper flange 230 extends upward, and the channel 236 formed in thelower flange 232 extends downward; thus, the channels 236 extend awayfrom the rail raceway 234. Further, the channels 236 extend along theentire length of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232, except at theends of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232, where a projection 238juts downward and upward from the upper and lower flanges 230, 232,respectively, into the rail raceway 234. The rail 220 further includes atrack stop 239 mounted to the vertical wall 224 and protruding into therail raceway 234.

The track 222 includes a generally vertical wall 240 with upper andlower flanges 242, 244 that together define a track raceway 246. Each ofthe upper and lower flanges 242, 244 forms a channel 248. The channel248 in the upper flange 242 extends downward, and the channel 248 formedin the lower flange 232 extends upward; thus, the channels 248 extendtowards the track raceway 246. The channels 248 extend along the entirelength of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, except at rear ends ofthe upper and lower flanges 242, 244, where a projection 250 juts upwardand downward from the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, respectively,away from the track raceway 246. The track raceway 246 terminates at afront stop 252 and a rear stop 254 in the form of flanges at ends of thetrack 222. The front stop 252 in the illustrated embodiment is generallyL-shaped. The upper flange 242 that partially defines the track raceway246 is spaced from the front stop 252 to form an access opening 256therebetween. The track 222 further includes a position limiter 258formed in the vertical wall 240 and extending away from the trackraceway 246

A closure 260 pivotally mounts to the track 222, particularly to theupper and lower flanges 242, 244 of the track 222, and selectivelyblocks the access opening 256. The closure 260 includes parallel upperand lower walls 262, 264 joined by a side wall 266 and a front wall 268orthogonal to the side wall 266. The side wall 266 and the front wall268 form a grip 270 sized to be grasped between a user's fingers forpivotally moving the closure 260. The closure 260 further includes awheel retainer in the form of a projection 274 depending from the upperwall 262 into the track raceway 246. The closure 260 is movable betweena closed position (FIG. 20), where the upper wall 262 blocks the accessopening 256, and an opened position (FIG. 21), where the closure 260 ispivoted relative to the track 222 so that the upper wall 262 is spacedfrom the access opening 256. The closed and opened positions will bedescribed in more detail below. When the closure 260 is in the closedposition, the projection 274 linearly aligns with the channel 248 in thetrack upper flange 242.

A bearing assembly comprising a bearing cage 280 comprising a pluralityof ball bearings 282 slidably couples the track 222 and rail 220 forrelative slidable movement.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the slide 200 is assembled, the rail raceway234 receives the track 222 with the bearing assembly positioned betweenthe upper and lower flanges 230, 232 of the rail 220 and the upper andlower flanges 242, 244 of the track 222. In particular, the bearing cage280 sits between the channels 236 on the rail 220 and the channels 248on the track 222. The projections 238 at the ends of the channels 236 onthe rail 220 retain the bearing cage 280 in the rail raceway 234 (i.e.,the projections 238 prevent the bearing cage 280 from sliding forwardlyor rearwardly out of the rail raceway 234). When the track 222 iscoupled to the wheel support 202 to couple the slide 200 to the secondutensil rack 30, the track raceway 246 receives the front and rearwheels 204, 206. The front and rear wheels 204, 206 are illustrated inphantom in FIG. 15 to show the positioning of the front and rear wheels204, 206 within the track raceway 246. The grooves 210 on the front andrear wheels 204, 206 receive the inwardly extending channels 248 of thetrack upper and lower flanges 242, 244 such that the front and rearwheels 204, 206 can roll along the channels 248, which act as a guide tofacilitate retaining the front and rear wheels 204, 206 in the trackraceway 246.

An exemplary operation of the slide 200 will be described with respectto FIGS. 15 and 17-21. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill thatthe operation can proceed in any logical order and is not limited to thesequence presented below. The following description is for illustrativepurposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

FIG. 15 illustrates the slide 200 in an initial position with the frontand rear wheels 204, 206 located as far rearwardly as possible withinthe track raceway 246 and with the position limiter 258 on the track 222abutting the track stop 239 on the rail 220 (not shown). This positioncoincides with the utensil rack 30 being completely received within thechamber 24 of the dishwasher 10. The interaction between the positionlimiter 258 and the track stop 239 prevents further rearward movement ofthe track 222 relative to the rail 220. In this position, a front end ofthe track 222 and the closure 260 are both received within the railraceway 234. When the user desires to move the second utensil rack 30relative to the cabinet 12, the user pulls the second utensil rack 30forwardly, and the front and rear wheels 204, 206 consequently rollforwardly in the track raceway 246 along the channels 248 until thefront wheel 204 abuts the front stop 252, as shown in FIG. 17. When thefront wheel 204 approaches the front stop 252, the groove 210 on thefront wheel 204 rolls off of the channel 248 in the upper flange 242 andinto engagement with projection 274 on the closure 260. As the usercontinues to pull the second utensil rack 30, the front wheel 204transfers the forward force to the track 222 via the front stop 252, andthe track 222 slides forwardly relative to the bearing cage 280 and therail 220 until the projections 250 on the track 222 abut a rear end ofthe bearing cage 280, as illustrated in FIG. 18. As the user continuesto pull the second utensil rack 30, the track 222 transfers the forwardforce to the bearing cage 280 via the projections 250, and the bearingcage 280 slides forwardly with the track 222 relative to the rail 220until the front end of the bearing cage 280 abuts the projections 238 atthe forward end of the rail 220, as illustrated in FIG. 19. At thispoint, the slide 200 is at its most extended position relative to thecabinet 12 as is the second utility rack 30.

When the slide 200 fully extends from the cabinet 12, as shown in FIG.19, or when the slide 200 is in any other position where the front wheel204 abuts or nearly abuts the front stop 252, and the closure 260 is inthe closed position blocking the access opening 256, the groove 210 onthe front wheel 204 receives the projection 274 on the closure 260. FIG.20, which is an enlarged view of the region labeled XX in FIG. 19, bestillustrates the mating relationship between the front wheel 204 and theprojection 274. The relationship between the front wheel 204 and theprojection 274 prevents lateral movement of the front wheel 204 relativeto the track 222 and the track raceway 246. Thus, the projection 274prevents the front wheel 204 from popping out of the track raceway 246thereby avoiding accidental removal of the second utensil basket 30 fromthe slide 220.

If the user desires to remove the second utensil rack 30 from the slide200, the user moves the closure 260 from the closed position of FIG. 20to the opened position. Before the user can move the closure 260,however, the user must ensure that the front wheel 204 does not matewith the projection 274 on the closure 260. If the front wheel 204 andthe projection 274 mate, then the user pushes the second utensil rack 30rearward until at least the front wheel 204 no longer engages theprojection 274, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

Once the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 no longer mate, the usercan move the closure to the opened position shown in FIG. 21, such as bypivoting the closure 260 relative to the track 222. The closure 260 inthe illustrated embodiment advantageously remains mounted to the track222 during movement between the closed and opened positions and while inthe opened position. Moving the closure 260 spaces the upper wall 262 ofthe closure 262 from the access opening 256 such that the user canthereafter pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly and upwardlythrough the access opening 256, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 21. Theupward movement of the second utensil rack 30 corresponds to lifting,such as by pivoting, the second utensil rack 30 relative to the track222. As a result of this configuration, the user must perform twoactions to remove the second utensil rack 30 from the slide 200. Theuser first slides the second utensil rack 30 in a first direction toalign the front wheel 204 with the access opening 256 and then lifts thesecond utensil rack 30 in a second direction, such as by pivoting, tomove the front wheel 204 through the access opening 256. The two actionscan be performed in a sequential fashion wherein the sliding and thelifting are distinct actions or wherein the sliding and the liftingchronologically overlap (i.e., the lifting begins while the sliding isbeing executed). Requiring movement of the second utility rack 30 in twodifferent directions facilitates accidental removal of the secondutility rack 30 from the slide 200.

After the front wheel 204 passes through the access opening 256, theuser can continue to pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly andupwardly to pass the rear wheel 206 through the access opening 256 inthe same manner. The second utensil rack 30 removed from the slide 200can be mounted to the slide 200 and pushed rearwardly into the cabinet12 by repeating the above procedure in a reverse order.

The alternative embodiment slides 200 can include features describedabove with respect to the previous embodiment slides 42. For example,the access opening 258 can be positioned between the upper and lowerflanges 242, 244 of the track 222. When the access opening 258 islocated between the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, the closure 260can form the front stop for the front wheel 204. Furthermore, theclosure 260 can include a detent that mates with an aperture on thetrack 222 for retaining the closure 260 in the closed position.Additionally, the closure need not have the projection 274, which wouldeliminate the need to back up the utensil rack 30 prior to opening theclosure 260.

Another alternative embodiment slide 200 is illustrated in FIG. 22. Theslide 200 is identical to the embodiment of the slides 200 shown inFIGS. 13-21, except that the slide 200 of FIG. 22 does not include theclosure 260, and the access opening 256 in the track upper flange 222 isspaced from the front stop 252. The access opening 256 can be spacedfrom the front stop 252 any suitable distance. For example, the accessopening 256 can be spaced from the front stop 252 a distance at leastequal to a diameter of the front wheel 204, as illustrated in FIG. 22.

The operation of the slide 200 of FIG. 22 is substantially identical tothe operation of the slides 200 of FIG. 13-21, except for the portionrelated to removal of the front wheel 204 from the track raceway 246. Toremove the front wheel 204 from the track raceway 246, the user firstaligns the front wheel 204 with the access opening 256. If the frontwheel 204 is positioned adjacent to the front stop 252, the user mustslide the front wheel 204 rearward to align the front wheel 204 with theaccess opening 204. Next, the user lifts the front wheel 204, such as bypivoting the second utensil rack 30, through the access opening 256.After the front wheel 204 passes through the access opening 256, theuser can pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly and upwardly to passthe rear wheel 206 through the access opening 256 in the same manner.

Spacing the access opening 256 from the front stop 252 requires the userto purposely slide the second utensil rack 30 rearward prior to movingthe front wheel 204 through the access opening 256. Requiring therearward movement helps to prevent accidental removal of the front wheel204 from the track raceway 246 when the slide 200 does not include theclosure 260 for selectively closing the access opening 256. However, itis within the scope of the invention for the access opening 256 to belocated in any suitable position, such as directly adjacent to the frontstop 252, as is shown with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and21.

Furthermore, the track raceway 246 of the illustrated embodiment and theother embodiments of the slides can be substantially unobstructed suchthat the front wheel 204 can freely slide along the track raceway 246 tothe access opening 256. In other words, there are no detents or otherstructures to impede movement of the front wheel 204 within the trackraceway 246. The positioning of the access opening 256 and theemployment of the closure 260, either alone or in combination with oneanother, are sufficient to control the movement of the front wheel 204and the removal of the front wheel 204 from the slide 200, therebynegating a need for detents or other structures.

The complementary basket elements 46A, 46B have been described withrespect to the number, shape, and size shown in the figures. However, itis within the scope of the invention for the whole basket to be formedby more than two basket elements and for the basket elements to beshaped and sized in any suitable manner as long as they arecomplementary and together form the whole basket. For example, the wholebasket can be formed by two or more rectangular basket elements havingstraight edges, a first L-shaped basket element and a second square orrectangular basket element, two triangular basket elements, or basketelements similar to the basket elements 46A, 46B but having a fourthedge 70D with a different contour. Additionally, the basket elements46A, 46B are not limited to use with the frame 44; the basket elements46A, 46B can be utilized with any suitable frame or utensil rack and arenot required to be vertically adjustable within the wash chamber 24.Similarly, the frame 44 can mount a unitary whole basket rather thanseparate basket elements so that the unitary whole basket is verticallyadjustable within the wash chamber 24.

While the third utensil rack 40 has been shown and described as beinglocated near the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 and in conjunction withthe first and the second utensil racks 28, 30, it is within the scope ofthe invention to utilize the third utensil rack 40 in any locationwithin the wash chamber 24, such as adjacent the lower wall 16 or in themiddle of the wash chamber 24, and with or without other utensil racks.Furthermore, the slides 42 are not limited for use with the thirdutensil rack 40; rather, the slides 42 can be used with the firstutensil rack 28, the second utensil rack 30, or any other suitableutensil rack.

The grid of the basket elements 46A, 46B has been described as beingformed by the plurality of intersecting ribs 72; however, it is withinthe scope of the invention for the grid to be formed by other structureshaving apertures or gaps that allow wash liquid to pass through thebottom wall of the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the grid canbe a molded panel with circular, rectangular, or other shaped aperturesformed therein.

While the third utensil rack 40 and the slides 42 have been describedand shown as for use in the dishwasher 10 comprising the cabinet 12 andthe door 26 movably mounted to the cabinet 12, the dishwasher 10 can beany type of appliance for washing dishes and is not limited to thedishwasher 10 shown in the figures. For example, the dishwasher can be adrawer-type dishwasher, wherein the wash chamber is formed in anopen-top drawer that is slidably mounted to a cabinet. Further, theslides 42 can be used to slidably mount the drawer to the cabinet, ifdesired.

The third utensil rack 40 accommodates various shapes and sizes ofutensils for effective cleaning thereof without dramatically sacrificingcapacity of the first and second utensil racks 28, 30. Because thebasket elements 46A, 46B are vertically adjustable, the third utensilrack 40 can be arranged to accommodate the sizes of utensils in thesecond utensil rack 30. In the preferred embodiment, various portions ofthe frame 44, such as the upper support rails 62, 63 and the lowersupport rails 64, 66, function as height adjusters for adjustablymounting the basket elements 46A, 46B to the frame 44. However, theheight adjusters can also be located on the basket elements 46A, 46B.For example, the basket elements 46A, 46B can include multiple hooksvertically spaced on the peripheral wall 70 such that the basketelements 46A, 46B can be mounted to a portion of the frame 44 indifferent vertical orientations depending on which hooks mate with theportion of the frame 44.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of theappended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art willpermit.

1. An automatic dishwasher comprising: an open-faced cabinet comprisingopposing side walls and defining a wash chamber; a door movably mountedto the cabinet for selectively closing the wash chamber; a utensil rackcomprising opposing sides and a wheel mounted to at least one the sides;and at least one slide slidably coupling the utensil rack to the cabinetfor movement of the utensil rack relative to the cabinet and comprising:a track coupled to one of the side walls of the cabinet and defining anelongated raceway for receiving the wheel of the utensil rack andcomprising an access opening to the raceway for insertion or removal ofthe wheel from the raceway; and a closure mounted to the track formovement between an opened position and a closed position to selectivelyopen and close the access opening, wherein the closure remains attachedto the track during movement between the opened and closed positions. 2.The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the closure ispivotally mounted to the track.
 3. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 1 wherein the closure comprises a detent for locking the closurein a closed position blocking the access opening to prevent the removalof the wheel from the raceway.
 4. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 3 wherein the detent mates with the track to secure the closure inthe closed position.
 5. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1wherein the track comprises upper and lower flanges that partiallydefine the raceway, and the access opening is located in at least one ofthe lower flange, upper flange, and between the lower flange and upperflange.
 6. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein thetrack further comprises a stop to limit movement of the utensil rackalong the raceway.
 7. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 6wherein the track further comprises a flange at an end of the raceway toform the stop.
 8. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 6 whereinthe closure forms the stop.
 9. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 8 wherein the track comprises upper and lower flanges thatpartially define the raceway, and the access opening is located betweenthe lower and upper flanges.
 10. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 1 wherein the slide further comprises a rail coupled to one of theside walls of the cabinet and defining a rail raceway, and the track isslidably received within the rail raceway.
 11. The automatic dishwasheraccording to claim 10 wherein the slide further comprises a bearingassembly that slidably couples the track to the rail in the railraceway.
 12. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein thetrack is fixedly mounted to the one of the side walls of the cabinet.13. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the closureis mounted to the track and configured to be received within the railraceway.
 14. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein thetrack further defines a second elongated raceway for slidably receivinga slide mount coupling the track to the at least one of the side wallsof the cabinet.
 15. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 14wherein the track is configured to slide relative to the slide mount.16. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the closurecomprises a wheel retainer configured to prevent the wheel from exitingthe raceway.
 17. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 16 whereinthe wheel retainer is configured to prevent lateral movement of thewheel relative to the raceway.
 18. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 16 wherein the wheel retainer comprises a projection that extendsinto the raceway.
 19. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 18wherein the wheel comprises a groove that receives the projection. 20.An automatic dishwasher comprising: an open-faced cabinet comprisingopposing side walls and defining a wash chamber; a door movably mountedto the cabinet for selectively closing the wash chamber; a utensil rackcomprising opposing sides; at least one track defining an unobstructedelongated raceway and comprising a stop terminating a forward end of theraceway and an upwardly facing access opening to the raceway; and awheel assembly comprising at least one wheel slidably received withinthe raceway and sized for insertion and removal through the accessopening; wherein one of the track and wheel assembly is mounted to oneof the cabinet and utensil rack and the other of the track and wheelassembly is mounted to the other of the cabinet and utensil rack toslidably mount the utensil rack to the cabinet, and the wheel is free tomove unobstructed along the raceway to the access opening for removalthrough the access opening.
 21. The automatic dishwasher according toclaim 20 wherein the access opening is spaced from the forward end ofthe raceway.
 22. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 21 whereinthe access opening is spaced from the forward end of the raceway adistance at least equal to a diameter of the wheel.
 23. The automaticdishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the track comprises an upperflange, and the access opening is formed in the upper flange.
 24. Theautomatic dishwasher according to claim 22 wherein the access opening isspaced from the forward end of the raceway.
 25. The automatic dishwasheraccording to claim 20 wherein the wheel assembly comprises at least apair of wheels.
 26. A method of removing a utensil rack from adishwasher comprising a cabinet and at least one slide coupling theutensil rack to the cabinet and having a track with a raceway and anaccess opening to the raceway and a wheel mounted in the raceway, themethod comprising: sliding the utensil rack in a first direction toalign the wheel with the access opening; and lifting the utensil rack ina second direction to move the wheel through the access opening.
 27. Themethod according to claim 26 wherein the first direction is differentfrom the second direction.
 28. The method according to claim 27 whereinthe second direction corresponds to pivoting the utensil rack.
 29. Themethod according to claim 26, further comprising moving a second wheelthrough the access opening.
 30. The method according to claim 26 whereinthe sliding the utensil rack in the first direction comprises freelysliding the utensil rack to the access opening.